Justin Timberlake on Controversial Wedding Video

Sure, Justin Timberlake is now a happily married man. However, there’s a wedding controversy that the star decided to deal with head on.

Apparently, a good friend of Timberlake’s chose to make a video for the occasion, which featured homeless people around Hollywood posing as friends of the couple who were unable to make the expensive trip to Italy. When one of the homeless people in the video (who was paid $40 and had no idea what it was for), learned of the nature of it, he said, “That makes me feel really bad. That was a trick played on me.”

Timberlake respsonded, “I am (by nature) a pretty private person. So, I don’t really take it upon myself to comment on things that so often go misunderstood or something that has even shed any kind of dark light on what was and will always be one of the most special weeks of my life. But, in light of the recent events, I can’t fight the urge to clarify my thoughts and feelings on what has been a very upsetting portrayal of the people closest to me and myself. It’s not who I am as a professional or as a man. I don’t live my life making fun of people (unless, of course, I’m making fun of myself on “SNL).” Especially, those who are less fortunate or those in need. I grew up with a family and community that instilled ideals in me like hard work, honesty and empathy. As a matter of fact, growing up in Tennessee, I was always taught that we as people, no matter what your race, sex, or stature may be, are equal.”

The singer/actor went on to say that he had “no knowledge of (the videos) existence” and “had absolutely ZERO contribution to it,”; “My friends are good people. This was clearly a lapse in judgment. . . I don’t believe it was made to be insensitive. It was NOT shown at my wedding. We can all agree that it was distasteful, even though that was not it’s intention. I am NOT defending the video. I agree with the overall consensus. I am deeply sorry to anyone who was offended.”